Social workers knowledge and confidence in working with sexually abused children. Dr Geraldine Brady, Senior Research Fellow Dr Josephine Kwhali Senior Lecturer in Social Work Coventry University

1. BASPCAN Conference April 2015

2. Small scale research project funded by the
NSPCC in 2014
Qualitative research primarily based on :
- Focus group interviews with small groups of social
workers in six different Local Authorities in
England
-Individual interviews with a range of managers
and Safeguarding Board Chairs
Quantitative – collection and analysis of relevant
data

3.  The challenge of disclosure – differing
contexts and stages at which it occurs – assumption
that the focus of training and education should be on
child protection social workers
 Need for more attention to be given to the skill set
of leaving care / adult social workers and integration of
education and training on multi-agency basis.
 Issues of support and specialist longer term
intervention following a child’s disclosure – social
workers often left carrying the emotion and uncertainty

4. Challenges & Tensions Responses to CSA Work
 Child abuse is child abuse – differentiation appears
to be occurring in relation to familial/ individual abuse
and child sexual exploitation
Maintaining focus on the child’s experience and not
simply on securing a conviction ( important though this is)
 Giving equal priority to CSA and CSE –s/w’s more
knowledgeable of former : concern that some forms of
abuse afforded more political and media attention and
that required skills involved in both not recognised.

5.  S/W’s often overwhelmed – doing their best with care
and commitment : provision of good multi-agency
support key and need for off site case support/
supervision.
 Performance supervision vs Reflective supervision –
expectations on s/w’s often exceed experience,
knowledge, expertise and staff resources.
 Confidence increased with effective support, training and
space for reflection – role of Safeguarding Boards
Retention and Support

6. For further detail contact:
j.kwhali@coventry.ac.uk or g.brady@coventry.ac.uk
Link to full report on NSPCC website
http://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/research-and-
resources/social-workers-knowledge-confidence-child-
sexual-abuse/